Menu

Plan: Fall Bucket List 2014

Today marks the official first day of Fall. How that happened, I’ll never know, because I’m pretty certain yesterday I was planning my Cinco de Mayo party. Yes, Summer flew by, and because the passage of time seems to happen fastest when I’m the busiest, and because Fall is shaping up to look dang busy, I want to make sure I soak up every last bit of my favorite season of the year.

The best way to assure that I’ll actually get out and do something, is to write it down, in list form, and put it out in the world. So, in that vein, I’ve put together a list of 10 things I want to do before the leaves fall and the snow settles in.

Fall Bucket List 2014

Go to Bear Mountain Oktoberfest. It’s become a sort of tradition entirely by accident, and I’m entirely happy about it. This will be the third year and I’ll tell you, there’s not much better in this world than a beautiful lake-side view, crisp fall day, and plenty of sausages and beer to go around.

Experience New York City in the Fall. If only so I can say “Don’t you just love New York in the Fall. It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” Because I totally would.

Spend an afternoon at a Vineyard during Harvest Time. Last Fall I went to Napa with my mom and sister-in-law, and it was magical. Turns out, though, I don’t have to fly across the country to experience Harvest. There are beautiful vineyards right in my backyard, and I want to see them all.

Visit the Dallas Arboretum and see the Fall Foliage. This is kind of cheating, because I already have a trip to Texas planned, but on that trip, I want to go to the Arboretum. There’s a house made of pumpkins!

Go Apple Picking. Make an Apple Pie. I want to go apple picking, pick entirely too many apples, then go home and bake a pie, which sadly is something I seem to only do once a year. On the other hand, it makes that one pie taste so good.

Eat apple cider donuts. Possibly while I’m picking apples, or possibly while I grocery shop. Or possibly every chance I get.

Make butternut squash ravioli. This will require me to try to make fresh pasta. Last time I tried it was a disaster, and I’m more than a little afraid to try again. The lure of creamy butternut squash may be enough to overcome my fear, though.

Go to New England before the leaves fall. Even if it’s just for an afternoon. Even if it’s just crossing the border into Connecticut, which is 20 minutes away. There’s something so quintessentially Fall about New England.

Explore the Northern portion of the Hudson Valley. I want to see what the Catskills have to offer.

Make mulled wine. I’ve never had it, but I think it will make me feel like Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, in which case all I’ll do is say “more wine,” over and over. (And I just got too dorky for even me. Sorry?)